Skyline Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

A Special Avalanche Advisory continues for the mountains of Northern and Central Utah. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Large avalanches can easily be triggered by people on steep, wind drifted slopes and from a distance. Backcountry travel in steep avalanche terrain is not recommended.


BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)


Danger Rose Tutorial

At mid and upper elevations dangerous avalanche conditions exist. A Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) avalanche danger will be found on steep wind drifted slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass and human triggered avalanches are likely.

On south facing slopes at upper elevations fresh wind drifts remain sensitive but more manageable. In terrain with these characteristics a Level 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger will be found and human triggered avalanches are possible.

At lower elevations and on mid elevation slopes that face the south half of the compass, you’ll find a Level 1 (LOW) avalanche danger.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Happy New Year! Winds finally relaxed late yesterday and are blowing west and northwest at 10-20 mph along the ridges. Temperatures are in the mid to upper 20's. Riding and turning conditions have gone from pretty grim to downright depressing.


RECENT ACTIVITY

On Thursday we were able to trigger a small hard slab on a steep, east facing test slope. Click here to view more details and a short video.

Click here for recent observations from the region.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

The Skyline snowpack is shallow, weak, and sugary. Not exactly the building blocks you want for a bomber snowpack. As a matter of fact, in many areas particularly terrain that is protected from the wind, we’ve found extremely loose, sugary snow that barely supports the weight of a person. Now a cohesive slab rests on this unstable layering. As you know…. strong snow on weak snow is a dangerous combination. Today you need to avoid steep, mid and upper elevation slopes, especially those with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Avalanches triggered will break deeper and wider than you might expect and will pack a powerful punch.

Just because you can see the car doesn't mean the slope you're planning to ride is good to go. Remember... it's a long season. Today you'll need to tone it down, travel conservatively, and think about the consequences of triggering even a small avalanche.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Not much in this department. Clear skies, temperatures warming into the mid 30's, and variable winds blowing 15-25 mph are expected this week. There might be a glimmer of hope for a storm late in the week.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Saturday, January 7th.

If you’re getting out and about and trigger an avalanche or see anything interesting please drop me an email at craig@utahavalanchecenter.org or call 801-231-2170

Also, now is a great time to schedule one of our free avalanche awareness presentations for your group or club. Email or call me and we’ll get you booked before things get too crazy.


This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done.  This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.


This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.